Tops Finish Opening Weekend With Second-Straight Sweep

Saturday, September 27

Bowling Green, Ky.

1 p.m. CT

Western Kentucky University

11-4,2-0CUSA

Jacksonville State

6-8,0-2CUSA

Jacksonville St.

Western Ky.

Photo by: Liam Downie/WKU Athletics

9/27/2025 3:43:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -- A well-balanced offense and double-digit blocks aided WKU Volleyball in its 3-0 sweep of Jax State on Saturday.

Four different Hilltoppers (11-4 overall) recorded at least five kills while three different Hilltoppers posted at least four blocks. Sophomore outside hitter Alivia Skidmore led with eight blocks and helped WKU achieve a .202 hitting clip on the day.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Set 1: 25-16
A 6-1 run halfway through the first frame separated the two squads and allowed the Hilltoppers to cruise to victory. Outhitting Jax State with 10 kills to seven, Skidmore collected four kills on a .375 hitting percentage and also contributed a block. Junior middle hitter Izzy Van De Wiele led at the net with two blocks as both sophomore libero Tayler Baron and freshman defensive specialist Kennedy Cherry anchored the back row with four digs each. For the second match in a row, the WKU defense was able to keep its opponent to a negative hitting percentage (-.086) in the first set.

Set 2: 25-20
Much like Friday night, the Tops opened the set with a 4-0 run and never gave up the lead. Despite besting WKU in blocks and digs, the Hilltopper offense made all the difference as they collected 16 kills to JSU's 13. Junior middle hitter Gabby Weihe had an immediate impact, contributing five of WKU's 16 kills with a .444 hitting clip. Sophomore middle hitter Faith Young posted her second-straight match with at least two service aces, with two of her three total service aces coming in the second set.

Set 3: 25-18
Freshman outside hitter Sonja Laaksonen set the tone for WKU in the final set as she generated four kills and a .375 hitting clip. At the net, both Young and freshman setter Kate Rush earned two blocks each while Weihe and Laaksonen had one apiece. In total, WKU outblocked JSU 4-1, and also kept Jax State's offense to a .000 hitting percentage in the final set. Young collected her final service ace of the match while senior setter Callie Bauer registered one as well.

NOTABLES

Sonja Laaksonen earned her first start as a Hilltopper on Saturday.
Four different WKU players posted at least five kills, Gabby Weihe (7), Sonja Laaksonen (6), Alivia Skidmore (8), and Faith Young (7).
Alivia Skidmore led the Hilltoppers in kills with eight.
Saturday's match was the eighth in 15 matches to feature double-digit team blocks (10).
Three Hilltoppers finished with four blocks, Weihe, Laaksonen, and Rush.

UP NEXT
WKU will head to Springfield, Mo., to take on the Missouri State Bears who are in their inaugural season with Conference USA. The last time WKU played Missouri State was in 2018 resulting in a 3-1 win. First serve is set for Saturday, Oct. 3 at 6 p.m. CT.